Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – In a dramatic turn of events following the Qatar Grand Prix, newly crowned Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris was seen capturing his maiden title at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday. The race, however, was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Kimi Antonelli's late-race incident that allowed Norris to gain a crucial position.

During the Qatar Grand Prix, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli made a mistake that allowed Lando Norris to overtake him in the closing stages of the race. This occurred while Norris was chasing Antonelli, who was running in fourth place. Antonelli ran deep into a corner, giving Norris the opportunity to grab the position, which was vital for Norris in securing his maiden title in Abu Dhabi.

The incident sparked heated debate and accusations, with some suggesting that Antonelli had deliberately moved aside to benefit Norris. Max Verstappen's race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, remarked over the radio, "Not sure what happened to Antonelli Max, looks like he just pulled over and let Norris through". Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko also weighed in, claiming it was "so obvious".

These comments led to a barrage of online abuse directed at Antonelli, forcing Red Bull to issue a statement expressing their "sincere regret" for the "clearly incorrect" suggestions. The team clarified that replays showed Antonelli had momentarily lost control of his car, resulting in Norris's pass.

Ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Antonelli addressed the incident, explaining that he had made a genuine mistake. He stated that he carried too much speed into Turn 9, causing him to lose the rear of the car and go off track. Toto Wolff, Mercedes' Team Principal, also defended Antonelli, dismissing the notion that he would deliberately move aside as "nonsense".

Adding a heartwarming conclusion to the saga, footage emerged after the Abu Dhabi race showing Max Verstappen consoling an apologetic Antonelli. In the video, Antonelli is seen approaching Verstappen and apologizing for the Qatar mishap. Verstappen, with a smile, dismisses the incident, offering a handshake and seemingly putting the controversy to rest.

Meanwhile, Lando Norris secured the 2025 world title by finishing third in the Abu Dhabi showdown. Norris emphasized that he felt he had raced fairly and without being overly aggressive, an approach for which he has received criticism in not demonstrating the much eulogised “killer instinct”. The 26-year-old Briton has been explicit all season that he felt he could win the title and still drive clean, and he felt he had made his point.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked a significant moment for Norris, McLaren, and Formula 1, ushering in a new champion and bringing an end to Verstappen's four-year reign. The race also highlighted the intense pressure and scrutiny faced by young drivers like Antonelli, who is set to drive for Mercedes in 2026, replacing Lewis Hamilton.